NORWICH – More details have been released that reinforce hate crime allegations against a Greene man who’s been accused of shooting black man in the City of Norwich back in July.
It was announced in a press conference last Thursday that Wayne J. Spratley, 33, of Greene, had been indicted on hate crimes following the July shooting. The indictment against Spratley states he “did shoot said victim based upon race.”
Spratley was indicted on six felony charges, including attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime, a class B felony; assault in the first degree as a hate crime, a class B felony; criminal use of a firearm in the first degree as a hate crime, a class B felony; attempted murder in the second degree, a class B felony; assault in the first degree, a class B felony; criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, a class B felony.
Spratley was said to be employed with the New York State Department of Corrections.
It is alleged that Spratley, on July 19, 2015, in the City of Norwich at approximately 3:28 a.m. in a parking lot on Lackawanna Avenue, intentionally attempted to kill an African American male by pointing and discharging a Glock Model 20, 10mm handgun into the victim’s left lower abdomen, who then required surgery.
It is also alleged that Spratley shot the victim based on his race and used racial slurs against the victim (which were released but are not suitable for print).
With regard to the victim, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride confirmed last Thursday that he was in intensive care immediately following the July shooting, but has since been released and is with his family outside the immediate area.
Lead investigator on the case, Detective-Sergeant Reuben Roach with the Norwich Police Department said, “It is alleged that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol.”
With regard to the firearm used, McBride said it was his understanding that the defendant lawfully possessed the gun, but is accused of unlawfully using it the day he was arrested.
McBride said that Spratley will be arraigned in Chenango County Court within the next week or two.
Spratley was initially arraigned on July 19 and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond. Spratley posted the required amount to be released and was released two days following his arrest.
Spratley will appear in court at a later date to answer to the charges against him. At this next felony arraignment, there may be a new bail amount set on the defendant.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.